Side Business Must be Encouraged at Startup

This Nikkei article caught my eyes this morning. PARCO is one of the largest department stores in Japan, and the company decided to allow employees to do side business as long as it helps them enhance their professional career and specialty. Writing a book and teaching at university are kind of activities considered as proper side businesses according to the article.

I’m particularly a big fan of employees who teach at university, and I’m encouraging our staff to do so. At our company, extra money that they make by teaching goes straight to the employee’s bank account. The company does not take any cut even though the activity is done during work hour.

By teaching, you learn a lot. In my opinion, it’s always a teacher who gets the most benefit rather than students. I’ve learnt so much by teaching in the past so this should be encouraged at all startups.